Despite Running Afoul Of Weather, Sailfest Manages To Float 450 Boats

Cool Temperatures, Brisk Winds And Hard Rain Canceled Two Of Three Races At The Lake Monroe Event On Saturday.

December 14, 1996|By Mary Brooks of The Sentinel Staff

SANFORD — The Seminole County Sailfest was cruising toward a banner year until it ran into foul weather, a marketing mistake and the last-minute withdrawal of a popular Bahamas festival.

It was too soon to tell how much the local economy benefitted from the event on Sanford's Lake Monroe, tourism officials said. Sailfest is traditionally the world's largest inland regatta.

But with only 450 of an anticipated 700 boats taking part, the event Dec. 6 to 8 was unlikely to ring up the $300,000 typically spent in the area by event participants.

''Certainly the weather didn't help, but that's a battle you always face at the end of the year,'' said county tourism director Jack Wert. ''Unfortunately, this was more wind and bad weather than we could've anticipated.''

Nearly 3,000 sailors were expected to participate in 15 competitions. More than 50 classes of sailboats were to be featured on eight separate race courses.

But cool temperatures, wind and hard rain canceled two of three races on Saturday. Sunday was sunny, but high winds left some novice sailors with their sails in the water.

''This is the first time in 11 years we have had enough rain to rearrange a schedule or cancel a race,'' said event spokesman Andy Cingolani.

The first blow to the success of this year's Sailfest came in November. A slick mailer that was supposed to go out the first week of the month wasn't delivered until the week of Thanksgiving.

''By the time they got it, the early registration date had already passed,'' Cingolani said, adding the mixup contributed to fewer crews participating. ''Unfortunately, we couldn't call the 17,000 addressees and tell them the mailing house screwed up.''

Then on Dec. 2, organizers of the Bahamas Junkanoo and Goombay Festival, who had committed to participation months ago, withdrew. The internationally known festival - featuring the Bahamas police drill team - was expected to draw 5,000 to 15,000 spectators.

Few spectators actually turned out for the event. Sailfest organizers refused to let that dampen their spirits.

''Even with only 450 boats, that's still a huge event compared to other regattas,'' Cingolani said. Organizers of a recent Sarasota event, he noted, were happy to get 300 boats.

''We had a lower turnout, but it could've been worse,'' He said. ''The event went pretty well, given all the mishaps.''

It also was too soon to tell whether Sailfest would take place on Lake Monroe next year. Organizers had discussed relocating before repairs were made recently to the launch area of the lake shore.

Organizers, many of whom Cingolani said lean toward keeping Sailfest in Sanford, plan to meet in about a month to discuss the event.

''There's a lot of tradition there - the sailors are used to having it here,'' Cingolani said. ''That lake with the marina and hotel nearby are perfect for the event - we would almost have to be forced to be moved.''